Before the move to the Province of Carolina, some events had to happen in the Branch family. Virginia colonists were moving southward from the James River decade after decade as colonists sought fresh land and opportunity. The Royal Colonial Boundary of 1665 marked the border between the Colony of Virginia and the Province of Carolina and also marked a destination for southward migration. In 1668 Perquimans was established as a precinct of Albemarle County in late 1668. This was the Province of Carolina. Not yet called “North Carolina”.
1680 William Branch key to date of birth. In Isle of Wight Virginia court records: THOMAS LARRYMORE gives to WILLIAM BRANCH, son of GEORGE BRANCH the younger, a cow. THOMAS LARRYMORE is going to England. It is unclear who Thomas Larrymore is and what his relationship is to the Branch family. Minor children can receive gifts. Benefactor to William, mariner Capt. Thomas Larrimore owns a ship, the 265-ton “Rebecca” which was briefly captured during Bacon’s Rebellion. William was born in 1679 when gift is given in 1680. We are unsure why young William is given the gift. He is likely only a toddler as George Jr and Susannah just married in 1678.
1688 George Branch Sr. The father of George Jr. dies in early 1688 as an appraisal of the estate was done in May.
1688…Preparing to move to southern Virginia Province of Albemarle .. later known as North Carolina.
August 4, 1688, George Branch and his wife Susannah sell off inherited land to relatives. Three deeds are done that Wednesday in August in the Isle of Wight Virginia court. We are not sure where court activities were held in 1688 as the first courthouse was built in Smithfield in 1750 some 62 years later. Court may have been held in a church or large house. In October, about 8 weeks later in 1688, another set of transactions is done.
These deeds are known to us by transcriptions but on Family Search (or of course in the actual archives at Richmond) you can see the actual deeds and sometimes that reveals more information. These deeds are huge with a lot of “boilerplate” verbiage. The August 1688 entries are three consecutive pages on pages 2 through 7 of the Isle of Wight court book I.
Note the players in 1688:
- The now late George Branch Sr. and, the still living wife Anne England Branch.
- George Branch Jr. (son) and Susannah Blackmore Corker Branch, preparing to move to NC between late 1688 and May 1694.
- Francis Branch (son) who later marries Elizabeth Norwood and remains in Isle of Wight.
- John Branch (son) marries Katherine. He remains in Isle of Wight Virginia.
- Susan Branch Lupo (daughter) and husband, James Lupo who appear to remain in IOW.
- Ann Branch Hodge (daughter) (later marries Robert Hodge)
- Francis England, father and grandfather, and second wife, widow Joyce Flake Cripps England. Benefactor of George Branch, Jr.’s wealth.
______________________________________________________________________________
ISLE OF WIGHT (Virginia) DEED BOOK 1 (1688-1704)
(P.2) 4 Aug 1688… George Branch and wife, Susanna Branch, of Surry County to Francis Branch of Isle of Wight Co. for 3000 pounds tobacco… 50 acre (being land he now lives on) adjoining William Miles, John Branch, and the Second Swamp. (Francis Branch is his brother.)
(P.2) 4 Aug 1688… George Branch and wife, Susannah Branch, of the upper parish of Surry County to John Branch of the upper parish of Isle of Wight Co. for 3000 pounds tobacco… 45 acres on the east side of second Swamp of the Blackwater in the upper parish of Isle of Wight Co. adjoining William Miles. (John Branch is his youngest brother.)
P.2) 4 Aug 1688… George Branch and wife, Susanna Branch, of the upper parish of Surry County to James Lupoe for 3000 pounds tobacco… 45 acres bounded by Daniel’s line, the Blackwater and William Miles. (James Lupo is his brother-in-law and husband of Sarah Branch.)
1692 George Branch Jr. In Surry County Virginia, he is listed as a titleable, so he has not yet moved to NC.
1693 George Branch Jr. now appears to be residing in the Province of Carolina well before his headrights were granted.
1693 George Branch (Jr. of Isle of Wight) George Branch is named to a jury in Perquimans Precinct May 1693. (Vo. 1, p 388 Colonial and State Records of NC.)
1694 George Branch Jr. Eight headrights proved for George Branch in May 1694 for Chowan precinct. Names on original scan are George, Wife, William, George, (paper torn), Elizabeth, Phyllis Branch & Margaret Thomas. I believe the paper torn has “Francis” name on it and “Margaret Thomas” is William’s intended bride and not Margaret and another person named Thomas. Eight persons would be:
- George, estimates to be around age 37. Master carpenter.
- Susannah, estimate to be at least 30.
- William Sr., likely born about 1679. Estimated age 15 at headright based on later land transactions.
- George (III) likely died young as no other reference to him is found.
- Francis, likely born about 1686. Estimated age 8 at headright based on later land transactions.
- Elizabeth: Elizabeth Branch Howcott, acquitted of murder 26 years later in 1720 and then a “spinster” but marries later. Perhaps age 2 or older.
- Phyllis Branch, unknown.
- Margaret Thomas. Young as William, estimated age 15. Unsure of her origins.
However, there is no record of George Branch receiving land or being taxed.
- July 9, 1694, George Branch is on a petition to improve a land at Wiliam Gaskins.
- August 7, 1694 George Branch serves on Jury in Perquimans precinct Court (Vo. 1, p 396 Colonial and State Records of NC.)
1696 George Branch Jr dies. He appears to have died before February 1696 because the inventory of his estate was accepted from Susannah Branch. All of his children were quite young. George was perhaps 39, an estimate age.
1697 Marriage of William Branch Sr. and Margaret Thomas in North Carolina. This pair likely married soon after the father George’s death. And that meshes with the likely births of Issachar and William. No records exist for this marriage.
Leave a Reply